(CNN) - Despite his own party's growing push to raise the federal debt ceiling, Republican Gov. Rick Scott of Florida insisted Wednesday the government should resist any increase in the debt limit.

"We can stop borrowing money at the federal level if we cut our spending at the federal level," Scott said on CNN's "American Morning." "We don't have to keep borrowing more money."
Scott repeatedly argued the government should follow the business model of a company when it comes to debt.

"What do businesses do if the revenue goes down? They have to stop borrowing money," Scott said. "Our government is no different. What's the limit? Is it $14 trillion, $16 trillion, $20 trillion? And who's going to pay for this? Our kids will pay for this."

When pressed by CNN's Christine Romans on what he would cut from federal programs, the Florida governor did not outline specifics.

"Well, you go through the most important things–just like what you do at the state level–you go through the most important things, and then you have to cut back," Scott said.

Romans reminded Scott that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the country would see an immediate 40 percent cut in federal spending if there's no agreement by the August 2 debt deadline.

"The impact near-term on the economy would be disastrous," Romans said.

But Scott remained firm in his stance, saying the only solution is to cut spending and lower taxes.

soundoff(90 Responses)

Sjmfury

This Governor has the lowest acceptance rating in the country. I can see why.

July 27, 2011 12:22 pm at 12:22 pm |

Lori in St Pete

You can't blame all of us, texan – just the 49% who voted for him vs. the 48% of us who voted for Alex Sink. Florida has an overabundance of blue hairs, and those voting blocs in Sun City and the villages were swayed by his mom saying "he's a good boy". Now they're all suffering buyers remorse while we all get punished

July 27, 2011 12:23 pm at 12:23 pm |

cat-person001

Hey Rick,
Don't worry about it. So what if there are no SS checks or VA checks or Military paychecks. We can all go hungry and without medical care. Not a problem. We sure wouldn't want to cause you tea-partiers any problems. I'm sure you are hoping that some of the old people will die off so you can shut down SS and Medicare and those military people shouldn't be getting paid anyway.

July 27, 2011 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |

lynn

When we couldn't make our bills, I gave up my stay at home mom title and got a job. Didn't have to toss a kid or grandma out the door, just had more money. Maybe the Republicans would like to have a bake sale or car wash. to raise cash?

July 27, 2011 12:24 pm at 12:24 pm |

Rudy NYC

"Higher taxes, more regulation, trillion dollar deficits kill our economy," Scott said. "This is about jobs, about our future. We cannot continue to borrow money."
-------------
Actually, it was the *lowered taxes*, which sucked money out of the economy, which created the trillion dollar deficits, that is killing our economy.

Claiming that higher taxes have kill our economy is contradicted by the facts. Raising taxes pulled us out of Reagan's two self-inflicted recessions. Bush Sr. raised taxes to pull us out of the S&L mess that the bankers gave us. Clinton raised taxes and cut spending to balance the budget. And then the American people gave Republicans the car keys and they immediatedly drove it into a ditch, killing half the passengers better known as our manufacturing jobs.

July 27, 2011 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

Jack in Florida

Our governor is an idiot and should not be listened to. He promised 700,000 jobs in 7 years. His first year, this state has lost more jobs than he has created. He also refused the high speed rail money because it would cost more in the future. We aren't going to get to the future if we don't sort things out TODAY. He needs to be recalled

I'm from Florida and I did not vote for this man. Just heard on Monday 10pm news that our Republican Legislature and our Governor have eliminated the funding for Public School improvements. Such as leaking roof repairs, air cond repairs, etc. Instead all of that money 50 – 55 million is being allocated for Charter schools. All I can do is shake my head and laugh or I would be crying.

July 27, 2011 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |

Rudy NYC

When we spend tax revenues on tax cuts to the wealthy, the money trickles down. We spend tax revenues on infrastructure, research and development the money flows out through the base and rises back to the top. Where we tax it again to keep the cycle going. (LOL)

July 27, 2011 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |

Florida voter, business owner, taxpayers, and real estate investor

Rick Scott does NOT speak for me. In fact, it's hard to know what's going on in this state, when the governor votes to amend administrative rules that contradict existing statutes intended to protect taxpayer's rights. Is his staff intervening, and keeping him from finding out? His staff prevents public comments at cabinet meetings so you have to wonder who really is setting policy. Whether the debt ceiling will affect the markets or not, the point begins with integrity. If you promise to pay, and have the use of other people's money and trust, you better keep your word. Or else you should step aside.

July 27, 2011 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |

bobden

Another Know-Nothing who waants to tell us that making the richest pay their share will increase our national debt.
Where are the jobs that the new repugs in congress promised? Oh, they will get around to it. In a few years.

July 27, 2011 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |

Leslie

Gov Scott is doing his best to destroy the State of Florida as we have known and loved it. He thinks saving a homeowner 24.00 annually to gut the South Florida Management District, which is in charge of Everglades restoration (think drinking water) is a tax savings to brag about...there is not one homeowner here that would have voted for this "savings" had we been told the truth ahead of time...The last time an ideologocal group such as the Tea Party began to reinvent truth to their own liking it was during pre WWII when Hitler was convincing the masses...mark my words, we are headed that way with this bunch dictating our world.

July 27, 2011 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |

gw

With such a large population of older people and minorities, why would Floridians re-elect this numbskull? He's taken the pledge and no longer capable of making rational decisions. He's part of the Republican Taliban.

July 27, 2011 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Mr. I am Legend with his worthless two-cents has MAJOR problems in his state of his own creation, now we see why.

July 27, 2011 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

TomInRochNY

Companies not paying their employees for making them profitable is what's killing our economy. Stop outsourcing and start paying us. More buying power, more taxes, a robust economy. Problem solved. It really sucks when your buying power is about $400 less than it was in 1988.

July 27, 2011 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Lolo

Can you believe what this clown is saying? Sure no more borrowing after Bush has sold our soul to China. These Republicans and tea patiers are really out of their minds. They only have selective memory, so I definitely do not listen or believe anything they ae saying. They are fighting among each other because they have now sold their souls to the devil and do not know what to do. Let Sarah and these fools keep talking. They are hanging themselves everyday.

July 27, 2011 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

The Shepard

Isn't this the 10th to 18 time they have raised the debt ceiling? How many times can you raise it? Is that how you deal with debt in your home? This is really becoming a joke. Both parties are disasterous for this country.

July 27, 2011 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

Sniffit

This from a guy who pushed through mandatory drug testing of social assistance recipients when his wife owns a large interest in the company doing the drug testing. And the kicker: he used to own a large share of it, but transferred all his interest in it to her to skirt the laws.

""What do businesses do if the revenue goes down? They have to stop borrowing money," "

Someone, quick, name me a business that purposefully cuts its revenue before doing anything whatsoever to reduce its expenses!

July 27, 2011 12:49 pm at 12:49 pm |

Lynda/Minnesota

@Pat

Feel your pain. We in Minnesota went through the same financial troubles with ex-Governor Pawlenty - Charter schools (and borrowing from Public education funds to financially support them) being one of HIS pet projects, crumbling infrastructure notwithstanding, thus causing our City and Country taxes to skyrocket. Unfortunately, our new governor's hands are tied in trying to deal with a Republican state majority. The only saving grace is all these fools WILL be voted out in the next election. Too bad we all have to suffer the consequences, regardless.

July 27, 2011 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |

Sniffit

""What do businesses do if the revenue goes down? They have to stop borrowing money," "

Someone, quick, name me a business that purposefully cuts its revenue before doing anything whatsoever to reduce its expenses!

It's mindboggling that people buy this whole act of "omg...our country's revenues magically decreased without any explanation whatsoever and now we have to reduce our spending to 'live within our means'...because we have no way at all of fixing the revenue problem!" Horsesh-t.

July 27, 2011 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |

Stacey

Rick Scott is the worst governor in the United States! He has no credibility whatsoever; none of the tea baggers do.

July 27, 2011 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |

wmontanye

It will not affect him, he has billons. By stealing from the US goverment.

July 27, 2011 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |

Republican Robber Baron

Rick Scott pleading the 5th numerous times to wiggle his way out of Medicare Fraud criminal liability. Maybe if sheisters like Scott weren't ripping off taxpayer $ , we wouldn't have as much debt. Not sure why CNN even bothered to interview him as if he has anything useful to say.

July 27, 2011 12:54 pm at 12:54 pm |

ech

This idiot has decimated Florida. Can't wait for the next election.
He is rich from Medicare fraud.